Phalaenopsis orchid plant named &#39;Felicity&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named ‘Felicity’ particularly characterized by flowers which are white with a yellow/green haze; plants which may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissue culture; plants which produce more than one inflorescence; long and sturdy inflorescences; and relatively short, dark-green foliage.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Phalaenopsishybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘Felicity’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis of the Orchidaceaefamily, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Felicity’.

Phalaenopsis comprises a genus of about 55 species of herbaceousperennials many of which, or the hybrids thereof, are suitable forcultivation in the home or greenhouse.

Phalaenopsis is predominantly epiphytic or rock-dwelling, and is nativeto tropical Asia, the Malay Archipelago, and Oceania. The speciestypically has 2-ranked, fleshy, oblong or elliptic leaves affixed to ashort central stem (monopodial growth), which vary in size from 5 to 8inches to over 2 feet. The leaves may be entirely green or mottled withsilver grey.

Phalaenopsis orchids, often referred to as ‘Moth Orchids’ in thehorticultural trade, are frequently used to furnish cut flowers for theflorist trade or sold as flowering potted-plants for home orinteriorscape.

Phalaenopsis produces upright or pendent lateral racemes, often withmany showy flowers which open in succession beginning with thelowermost. The flowers possess three sepals and three petals; thelateral ones being alike. The lowermost petal, called the labellum, isthree-lobed and is often more brightly-colored than the other flowersegments. Flower colors include various shades of pink, white, yellowand red-brown.

Phalaenopsis orchids are typically propagated from seeds. Asexualpropagation of Phalaenopsis is often done from off-shoots whichfrequently arise from the lower bracts of the inflorescence. Theresulting plants are detached from the mother plant and may be plantedin a suitable substrate.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Felicity’ is a product of a controlled breedingprogram conducted by the inventor, René Schoone, in Strengweg,Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was todevelop a new Phalaenopsis cultivar particularly characterized by itsattractive and unique colored flowers, economical propagation via tissueculture, rapid growth, and a plant dimension suitable for packaging andshipping to the market.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Felicity’ originated from a cross made by theinventor in 2004 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The female orseed parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivar designated ‘Springtime,unpatented. The male or pollen parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivardesignated ‘Funny Virgin’, unpatented. The new Phalaenopsis ‘Felicity’was discovered and selected by the inventor as a single flowering plantwithin the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in2012 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis cultivar by tissue culture(mericloning) was first performed in November, 2012 in Cieweg 13,Heemskerk, The Netherlands, and has demonstrated that the combination ofcharacteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmlyfixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction. The new cultivar asexually reproduces true-to-type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘Felicity’, which in combinationdistinguish this Phalaenopsis as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. flowers which are white with a yellow/green haze;    -   2. plant produces more than one inflorescence;    -   3. plants may be propagated economically and uniformly using        tissue culture;    -   4. inflorescences are long and sturdy; and    -   5. relatively short, dark-green foliage.

In comparison with the parental cultivars of ‘Felicity’, the flowers andthe plant of the female parent ‘Springtime’ are lager and ‘Springtimehas more red in the labellum. The flowers of the male parent ‘FunnyVirgin’ are smaller and have more yellow in the labellum.

Presently, the commercial cultivar to which ‘Felicity’ can bemeaningfully compared is ‘Silver Light’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,387).‘Silver Light’ is about 65 cm in size, whereas the ‘Felicity’ is about60 cm in size. Also the shape of the labellum of ‘Silver Light’ differsand it has more yellow than the labellum of ‘Felicity’. ‘Felicity’ has ayellow/green haze in the flower. ‘Silver Light’ does not.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Phalaenopsis ‘Felicity’ showing the colors as true as is reasonablypossible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of‘Felicity’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of‘Felicity’ in a 12 cm pot, at 16 months of age.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the typical flower of ‘Felicity’.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical leaves of ‘Felicity’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘Felicity’ has not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar mayvary with variations in environment such as temperature, lightintensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of theplant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘Felicity’ asgrown in a greenhouse in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands, underconditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercialpractice. Initially, the ideal temperature to grow plants of ‘Felicity’is 27° C. during the day and at night. Then, during the flowering phaseof ‘Felicity’, the ideal growing temperature is 20-22° C. during the dayand 18° C. at night. Light levels for growing ‘Felicity’ are a minimumof 5,000 lux and a maximum of 10,000 lux. A balanced fertilizer withlevel of 200 ppm N, 87 ppm P, 168 ppm K is applied. Duration of growthof ‘Felicity’ from potting size is between 10 and 14 months.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), 2007 edition, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditionsat approximately noon in Zaandammerweg, Assendelft, The Netherlands. Theage of the ‘Felicity’ plants described is 12 months after potting.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrida.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Springtime’, unpatented.        -   Male or pollen parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Funny Virgin’, unpatented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—tissue culture.        -   Rooting habit and description.—Fleshy; approximately 3 mm-6            mm wide and greyed/green in color (RHS 190A); freely            branching. It takes 12 weeks for plants growing in tissue            culture to initiate roots.-   Plant:    -   -   Size at maturity.—Height (from bottom of pot to highest            flower): about 60 cm Spread: about 50 cm.        -   Growth habit.—standard; green leaves (RHS 137A) and a            relatively normal raceme.        -   Vigor.—moderate.        -   Crop time.—Following asexual propagation, at about 26 weeks            2 leaves appear; at about 30 weeks 3-4 leaves appear; after            a cold treatment of about 4-8 weeks at a temperature of            about 19° C. about 1-2 racemes with flowers appear.-   Foliage:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 6-8 leaves are produced before            flowering.        -   Arrangement and attachment.—half up/horizontal and on two            sides.        -   Overall shape of leaf.—oval; the tip is blunt and            asymmetric.        -   Texture (upper & underside).—smooth and leathery.        -   Pubescence.—none.        -   Mature leaf length.—about 22 cm.        -   Mature leaf width.—about 8 cm.        -   Mature leaf thickness.—about 2 mm.        -   Mature leaf color.—upper side: green (RHS 137A) Under side:            green (RHS 137B and RHS 137C).        -   Leaf base.—acute.        -   Margin.—entire.        -   Venation.—Pattern: parallel Color of midvein: upper side:            green (RHS N137B) under side: green (RHS 137C).-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—upright to slightly pendant, racemose            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.-   Raceme:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—about 2.        -   Number of flowers per raceme.—about 10-20.        -   Length.—about 35 cm.        -   Diameter.—about 5 mm.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—about 25 cm.        -   Diameter.—about 4 mm.        -   Strength.—strong.        -   Aspect.—upright.        -   Texture.—glabrous and smooth.        -   Color.—green (RHS 137B) and yellow/green (RHS 144A).        -   Buds.—Height (from base to tip): about 25 mm Diameter (at            midpoint): about 20 mm Shape: asymmetric oval Color:            yellow/green (RHS 145A and RHS 145C) Orientation: same as            flowers (forward facing).        -   Flowering time.—For an untreated plant (flowering plant that            has not undergone cold-treatment where the plant grows at a            temperature of 18° C. to 19° C. for about 4 to 8 weeks after            a period of about 30 weeks at a temperature of 25° C.), 1-2            racemes appear with flower buds and flowers. First flowers            can be expected approximately 4 to 6 months after planting a            plant with a leaf diameter of 3 to 5 cm. Flowers persistent.        -   Flowering longevity.—On the plant: about 4 to 6 months;            lastingness of cut flowers: has not been observed.        -   Fragrance.—no fragrance.        -   Flower.—Rate of opening: Flowers fully opened about 2 to 3            days after petal and sepal separation. Orientation at            opening: slanted upward and outward. Shape: Typical shape of            Phalaenopsis; see FIG. 2 Size (of single bloom): Height:            about 97 mm Diameter: about 10 mm Quantity and arrangement:            three petals and three sepals that are trimerous,            overlapping and arranged in 2 whorls. Petals are more            pronounced than sepals.        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Inner whorl comprises 3 petals: 2            lateral petals and a labellum. 2 lateral petals: Overall            shape: broadly ovate and weakly cupped Apex: round Margin:            entire and weakly undulate Base: broadly ovate Length: about            60 mm Width: about 45 mm Texture: Upper surface: smooth and            satiny Under surface: smooth and satiny Color (when fully            opened): upper side: white (RHS NN155D) with at the base a            yellow/green haze (RHS 145D) Under side: white (RHS NN155D)            with a yellow/green haze (RHS 145D) Labellum: Overall shape:            3-lobed with 2 prominent callosities at central junction of            the lateral lobes and base of the midlobe. Lateral lobes of            labellum fold upward about the column; the midlobe extends            forward and is terminated by 2 appendages at the apex.            Lateral lobes of the labellum are ovate in shape while the            midlobe is triangular with a bump and a rib on it Margin:            entire and weakly undulate Apex of the midlobe and lateral            lobes: oval Length midlobe: about 25 mm Width midlobe (not            flattened): about 27 mm. Length lateral lobe: about 15 mm            Width lateral lobe (not flattened): about 20 mm Depth of            tube created by lateral lobes of labellum: about 20 mm            Texture: Upper & under surface: smooth and satiny Color            (when fully opened): Midlobe, upper side: Main color is            white (RHS NN155D) with a yellow/green haze (RHS N145D). At            the base some red/purple (RHS 71A) which runs into            yellow/green (RHS 1B). Under side: Main color is white (RHS            NN155D) with a yellow/green haze (RHS 145D) in the center.            At the base red/purple (RHS 71A) which runs into            yellow/green (RHS 7B). Lateral lobes, upper side: Main color            is white (RHS NN155D). At the base red/purple stripes (RHS            71A). At the lower edge some red/purple (RHS 71A) with            green/yellow (RHS 1B). Under side: Main color is white (RHS            NN155D). Lower edges some red/purple (RHS 59A) with            green/yellow (RHS 1B). Cirrhi: about 15 mm color: white (RHS            NN155D) long and curled Pestle (Callosities): Length: about            6 mm Width (not flattened): about 7 mm Color: white (RHS            NN155D) with red/purple stripes/spots (RHS 70A) and a yellow            haze (RHS 2B).        -   Sepals.—Arrangement: Outer whorl comprises 3 sepals, one            dorsal and two lateral sepals Overall shape: elliptical and            weakly cupped Margin: entire and weakly undulate Length:            about 50 mm Width: about 32 mm Apex: oval Texture: Upper and            under surface: smooth and satiny Color (when fully opened):            Upper side, dorsal: White (RHS NN155D) with some            yellow/green (RHS 145C and RHS 145B). Lateral: white (RHS            N155D) with yellow/green (RHS 145C and RHS 145B). Under            side, dorsal: some are yellow/green (RHS 145C) and white            (RHS NN155D) and some are white (RHS NN155D) with a            yellow/green haze (RHS 145C) Lateral: some are white (RHS            NN155D) with a yellow/green haze (RHS 145B) and some are            yellow/green (RHS 145C) and white (RHS NN155D).        -   Pedicel.—Length: about 4.5 cm Diameter: about 3 mm Texture:            glabrous and smooth Color: white (RHS NN155D) which runs            into yellow/green (RHS 145A and RHS 145B).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Arrangement.—The stamens, style and stigmas are fused into a            single, short structure called the column, possessing one            terminal anther with pollen grains united into a pollinia,            which are covered by an anther cap. The stigma is located            under the column behind the pollinia. The ovary is inferior            with three carpels present. The plant has not produced seed.        -   Column.—Length: about 12 mm Diameter: about 4 mm Color:            white (RHS NN155B).        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: two Diameter: about 3 mm Color:            yellow/orange (RHS 23A).        -   Ovary.—Length: about 4 mm Diameter: about 3 mm Color: white            (RHS NN155D).-   Disease/pest resistance/susceptibility: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed.-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 15° C.    and to a high temperature about 30° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named‘Felicity’, as illustrated and described herein.